Riboflavin Shows Positive Effect for Migraine in Adults

FRIDAY, May 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Riboflavin is well tolerated and has a positive therapeutic effect in prophylactic treatment of migraine headache in adults, according to a review published online May 8 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

Dennis F. Thompson, Pharm.D., and Hardeep S. Saluja, Ph.D., from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, conducted a systematic literature review to examine the role of riboflavin in migraine headache prophylaxis. Data were included for 11 clinical trials.

The researchers found that riboflavin had a mixed effect in the prophylaxis of migraine headache. A consistent positive therapeutic effect was seen in adults in five clinical trials; a mixed effect was seen in four clinical trials in pediatric and adolescent patients; and no benefit was seen in two clinical trials of combination therapy. Adverse reactions were usually mild.

"Riboflavin is well tolerated, inexpensive and has demonstrated efficacy in the reduction of adult patient's migraine headache frequency," the authors write. "Additional data are needed, however, to resolve questions involving pharmacokinetic issues and pharmacogenomic implications of therapy."